Did you know that the post-war CCF once wrote admiringly about the Red Army? That it saw Canada’s wartime economic planning as a great argument for the superiority of central planning and public investment? That they authored pieces like “Political Action for the 99%” in 1943? Or that NDP leader David Lewis used to publicly name-and-shame Canadian corporations that avoided taxes while soaking up publicly-funded subsidies?

Dr. Roberta Lexier from Mount Royal University joins Team Advantage to discuss David Lewis and the CCF-NDP’s policies in the post-war period, and helps us think through how these ideas might be relevant today. Follow Roberta at @rlexier!

Renowned earth scientist David Hughes joins Team Advantage to discuss Canada’s energy mix, Alberta’s oilsands, the realities of a carbon-constrained future, orphaned wells in Western Canada, oil curtailment and oil-by-rail, as well as David’s most recent study, Canada’s Energy Outlook.

David Hughes will be speaking in Calgary on Monday, March 4th, 2019 at 7pm at MacEwan Hall. Follow this link for details.

David Hughes will also be presenting in Edmonton on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 at 7pm at the TELUS International Centre at the UofA. Follow this link for details.

Populism! It frightens liberal technocrats everywhere! What could be worse than teeming masses of people making political demands? Team Advantage takes a look at some of populism’s historical roots, and examines that classic populist formulation: the [ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE] vs [THE PEOPLE]. While everyone is concerned about right-wing populism, is a left-wing populism possible? What would it look like?

Bashir Mohamed joins Team Advantage to discuss Alberta’s Black history, and the history of racial discrimination that accompanied it. KKK cross-burning approved by Edmonton’s Mayor! Court cases over discriminatory seating! Some have suggested that MP Kerry Diotte is “racist”! That time Jason Kenney had Bashir arrested! and more…

We used this piece to ground our discussion, Cheryl Foggo’s “My Home is Over Jordan — Southern Alberta’s Black Pioneers”

Bashir’s twitter, @BashirMohamed

Bashir’s writing:
http://www.bashirmohamed.com/blog

Cold open:
wh3at elevator$$ – lil wheat ft. Yung Agri

Have you herd? There’s a new Canada Food Guide advising us to eat our fruits and veggies. This is clearly a plot by George Soros and the Global Elite to attack Alberta’s precious, precious beef industry. Our environment is, in fact, maintained by our dear methane-emitting bovines! Team Advantage does a close read of Danielle Smith’s incredibly well-informed, smart, intelligent, brilliant, sharp, keen, astute, intuitive, perceptive, and discerning argument.
Danielle Smith: If you care about the planet, eat more beef [January 25, 2019]

Team Advantage sits down with Justin and Thomas from Alberta Regional Rail to make the case for a regional rail network. Connect Alberta’s major cities! Increase transportation safety! Cut down on transportation time! Ride a train because it’s so dang cool!

Check out Alberta Regional Rail:
albertaregionalrail.com
railalberta.com
@AlbertaRail

Journalist and podcaster extraordinaire James Wilt (@james_m_wilt) joins Team Advantage to discuss a few extremely chill and low-key subjects, such as Bill C-69, Alberta’s royalty regime, Endy mattresses, the state of the Canadian podcasting universe, as well as the practice of journalism in Canada. It’s very Nice.

Check out the #inspirational Unique Canadian Podcasting Presents: Tim Horton’s Presents: News You Can Use!

Are Albertans collecting a fair share of oilsands wealth?

Name your favourite highly-concentrated, highly-profitable, highly-integrated telecommunications company! Does it rhyme with Rell, Belus, or Togers? Good news, this episode is for you.
Joined by Dru Oja Jay (@druojajay) of Courage, Team Advantage investigates phenomenon of “natural monopoly,” investigates the Canadian communications industry’s anti-competitive behaviour, and makes the case for nationalizing and democratizing the telecommunications industry.

In an effort to make William Brett Wilson Very Mad Online, Team Advantage convenes to explain the difference between demand-side climate policies (like the carbon tax) and supply-side climate policies (like restricting or banning production). We come to the natural conclusion that a world socialist government is probably the best way to tackle the problem.

TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS

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Did you hear about the recent tragedy? “Laid off at 53, former oil industry manager wonders if seven-figure savings will sustain 40-year retirement: Couple has financial assets of about $1.37 million to tide them over, but at their age, they cannot access early Canada Pension Plan benefits for another seven years.” Team Advantage gives the piece a thorough and compassionate read-through.